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Eating and Entertainment at Navy Pier

A children's museum, Ferris wheel, Shakespeare Theater and great grub

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 0.7 miles

Duration: Half day

Family Friendly

Overview:
Navy Pier has been through a lot since it opened in 1916 as an entertainment venue and Great Lakes cargo facility. During its life,... more » the pier has housed soldiers, the Red Cross and civil defense units, served as a Naval training center and provided a home for the Chicago campus of the University of Illinois. Today it is the Midwest's premier tourist destination.

Built as Municipal Pier #2, Navy Pier was a part of the visionary Plan for Chicago developed by Daniel Burnham in the early part of the 20th century. That plan called for five piers, but this is the only one ever built. Construction took two years and cost $4.5 million. When it opened in 1916, the 3,300-foot-long (1,010 meters) Navy Pier was the largest pier in the world.

The pier was designed to serve shippers on Lake Michigan and provide a cool public gathering place for citizens in those pre-air-conditioning days. Although the proliferation of cars and trucks undercut the pier's role as a shipping facility, it thrived as an entertainment venue in the 1920s and '30s. At one point the pier had its own streetcar line, a theater and an emergency room. In 1927 it was officially renamed Navy Pier in honor of the Naval personnel who were stationed there during the war.

From 1965-1990, the pier languished. It was used for exhibits and special events—including ChicagoFest, the precursor to Taste of Chicago, the city's annual summer music and food festival—but it continued to deteriorate. In 1989 control of the pier was turned over to the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, which oversaw its $200 million rejuvenation.

Navy Pier is open every day of the year except for Thanksgiving and Christmas and there is rarely a time during the summer when it is not teeming with people. Hoping to bring in crowds during Chicago's frigid winters, when it can be bone-chillingly cold at the lakefront, Navy Pier also is home to Winter Wonderfest in December. During the summer, there are fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday night. less «

Tips:
Bring a jacket if you want to stroll the outdoor promenade. There is rarely a day when the winds aren't blowing in off of Lake... more » Michigan and unless it's a very hot day, it can get cool on the pier.

Set a budget before you go. While some things at the pier are free—the people watching, the strolling, some entertainment and a wonderful stained glass museum—most things at the pier cost money. If you don't arrive with a budget in mind, you could leave wondering how you managed to spend the kids' college fund in one day. Check the Navy Pier website for bundled deals that can save you a few bucks. If you're U.S. military, bring your ID for discounts.

There is plenty of parking at the pier, but it is tres expensive and it's a flat rate. So if you're going to drive, plan to spend the day to get your money's worth.

It's easy to get to the pier by public transit. Seven CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) bus lines stop at Navy Pier and during the summer, there's a free Navy Pier trolley that runs along Grand Avenue to the Red Line subway stop at Grand Avenue and State Street. Shoreline Sightseeing operates a water taxi between Navy Pier and the Museum Campus and between Navy Pier and Willis Tower via the Chicago River. less «

Points of Interest

Here you'll find the Chicago Children's Museum, one of the best children's museums in the country, and the Navy Pier IMAX theater.

There's also a food court featuring chain restaurants such as McDonald's and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. as well as a local favorite, the upscale sports-themed Harry Caray's Tavern, founded by the legendary Chicago... More baseball announcer.

Look for the stage where the silly pirate crew, jugglers, magicians and other acts entertain for free every half-hour.Less

2. Crystal Garden

This is a gorgeous, quiet place out of the madding crowds to sit and think.

3. Pier Park

Home to the seasonal Pepsi Skyline Stage, an outdoor theater under a tent, and the most recent additions to Navy Pier: a mini amusement park with traditional rides, such as a Ferris wheel and carousel, both upsized to serve the City of Big Shoulders.

Grab an ice cream at Haagen Dazs, wade through the crowds and browse the shops and kiosks that line the walkways and sell everything from tourist tchotchkes to clothes.

If you want something more substantial to eat, pop into Billy Goat Tavern, a Chicago icon, for a "cheezborger, cheezborger, no fries—chips, no Pepsi—Coke." This is the... More greasy spoon made famous by John Belushi's "Saturday Night Live" parody. This Navy Pier outpost is much cleaner than the grungy Billy Goat original that still operates on lower Michigan Avenue serving beer and cheezborgers to a nightly array of characters, including a few hard-boiled Chicago journalists.

If you're a Shakespeare fan and happen to be at Navy Pier when the Chicago Shakespeare Theater is performing, take in a show. This Chicago troupe is nationally recognized for the quality and innovation of its performances. During the summer there are family and kid-oriented productions as well.

If you prefer free entertainment, look for performers at the outdoor Dock Street Stage.Less

The first floor of Festival Hall is home to a treasure of a free museum: the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows.

This 800-foot-long museum is tucked along the sides of the walkway. It is a permanent exhibit of 150 stained glass windows, many of them taken from Chicago-area houses or churches, including windows created by Louis Comfort Tiffany... More and others created by Chicago artist Ed Paschke. The collection ranges from iconic religious windows to contemporary images extolling the likes of Chicago Bulls basketball great Micheal Jordan. The history of each has been researched and is explained in accompanying text.

If you fancy a fine-dining, white-tablecloth experience, head to Riva's for dinner.Less

6. Grand Ballroom

This is the eastern most point of the Pier. The Grand Ballroom is often the site of expos and other convention-type events, but peek inside if you can. The structure was built in 1916 and boasts a magnificent 80-foot domed ceiling.

Venture outside for an unparalleled view of the city's skyline while you brave the stiff winds off of Lake Michigan... More. Unless it's a hot day, chances are you'll want a jacket.Less

7. Take a boat ride on Lake Michigan

You're on Lake Michigan, after all. If you happen to be there during the warmer months, take a ride on the water.

The south side of Navy Pier is lined with boats, so pick the one that matches your water personality and family budget—the 148-foot Tall Ship Windy, the flashy speedboat Seadog, sightseeing cruises, dinner cruises or private charters... More.

If you would rather get on the water for a little less money, jump on a water taxi for a ride to other major Chicago tourist spots, including the Museum Campus, Buckingham Fountain and Willis Tower (formerly called Sears Tower and home to the Ledge, a glass box where brave visitors can walk out and look straight down 1,353 feet to the ground below).Less

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